Week 102, 12-3-2017

Thoughts and Quotes: At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? — Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant to step the Ocean and crush us at a blow? Never! — All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide. 
                                                                                                Abraham Lincoln

This is part of the speech Abraham Lincoln gave at Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at Disneyland. He went on to say that "a mother should teach liberty to the babe that prattles at her knee" or something to that effect, but you knew he meant that we should be taught liberty from the time we're born.

Has the suicide of Amerca already started? This week I learned that our representatives - the people who make our laws - have not one, but two, slush (hush) funds to pay off people who threaten to bring suit against them for harassment (sexual and other). These funds come from our taxes. We're paying for our politicians to practice bad behavior. And we're talking millions, Friends. I'm outraged and think it's time we sent some Mr. Smiths to Washington.

When they "improved" the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, they changed the speech somewhat. I think the one above was the most important thing I've ever heard from a president. You can hear the entire presentation HERE. Don't leave when the curtains close the first time. Stick around until the sky turns into a flag. You might need a tissue. I always do.

Enough of my soapbox - let's sum up the week. Did you accomplish all the National Days? I did rather well this time.

Monday - Cyber day. I guess this counts. I ordered a new computerized microwave. Mine works fine, but the light and fan won't shut off with the door closed. I've had this problem before, and I'm not paying to have it fixed again. Until the new one comes, I just leave the door ajar. This world is changing, Folks. I looked at microwaves at several places, but couldn't find one to fit my "hole". If it fit, it was too small. I ended up ordering one from Walmart, but it's being shipped from Overstock. Are we going to end up buying everything online from Amazon or Walmart and receiving it from who knows where? The cutting dies I ordered from Amazon this week are coming directly from China to my mailbox - someday. The good news is that by applying for Walmart's credit card, I got $35 off on my microwave price.

Tuesday - I ate my French toast.

Wednesday - I watched the tree-lighting at Rockefeller Center, but on the news the next day. I was watching the show and fell asleep on the couch right before the ceremony. It's those pesky commercials. They should have a buzzer after they finish playing, so I can wake up and watch my show.

Thursday - Mason jar day. I do a pretty good job of returning jars anyway, so I don't have many still waiting to be sent home. And I used one when making raspberry vinegar. It will be ready about the 14th, and if it's any good, I'll tell you about it. And I put my Tevana jar back in use. Guess that's not an acquisition, but a minus discard. Good thing I didn't get it to Jean for her church sale yet. Now I need 8 discards this week.

Friday - Of course, I ate my apple. I eat one nearly every day. I love them.

Saturday - The only place I know to get a fritter is an apple fritter from Walmart. When I saw the packed parking lot, I kept going and pretended I misunderstood and it was "Fitness Day" instead of "Fritter Day", so I kept fit my not eating a fritter.

Sunday - I'm very thankful for the roof over my head, along with all my other blessings. And I'm grateful to all of you who listen to my rambling and share my life.

While I was working on the National Days, I also tried to do my Days of the Week plan.

Muffin Tin Monday: I tried a recipe for Pumpkin Swirl Muffins, and I liked them. I made a few adjustments and here's the result.

PUMPKIN AND CHEESECAKE MUFFINS

Flour Mixture

1-3/4 cup flour

1 Tbs pumpkin pie spice (see note)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Pumpkin Mixture

1 15-oz can pumpkin

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 Tbs vanilla

Filling Mixture

8 oz cream cheese

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

2 tsps vanilla

Heat the oven to 375°. Put 18 paper baking cups in muffin tins.

Whisk together the flour, spice, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl. (Flour mixture). Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin and sugars. Then beat in the eggs, oil, and vanilla. (Pumpkin mixture). Set aside.

In a third mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla. (Filling Mixture).

Slowly whisk the flour mixture into the pumpkin mixture and fill the baking cups halfway. (Batter).

Dollop a tablespoon of the Filling Mixture on top of the Batter. Pour balance of Batter over Filling Mixture.

Bake 18-20 minutes.

Note: If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, mix 4 tsps cinnamon, 2 tsps ginger, 1 tsp ground cloves, and 1/2 tsp nutmeg. This makes 2-1/2 Tbs. Use 1 Tbs and save the rest.

Tidy-Up Tuesday: I cleared up the outside patio and brought in the hoses. Everything is stored in the screened patio until spring. Getting ready to snuggle in for the winter.

Where to Wednesday: Brother Bill and I went to The Hill in Springfield (named after a neighborhood in St. Louis - read about it HERE) for dinner. The decor doesn't look Italian, but the tables are nicely spaced so that you don't feel crowded. You can even find a little corner away from the TV. Everything is buffet - lunch and dinner. You can order a la carte from the menu, but why would you when the price is reasonable for buffet, which goes on and on and on. . . . . . 

I had the Seafood Bisque which was very good, but more bisque than seafood. The waitperson brings you warm breadsticks during your meal.

Not much of a salad bar, but I could get lettuce other than iceberg, so I was happy.

My plate. I really wanted to try the fried corn (don't waste your calories).

Bill's plate. So much food, we had totally different things to try.

My dessert. It's not gelato - it's ice cream from our local Hiland Dairy. The fresh pineapple was the best thing on my plate.

Bill had a crepe.

Would I go again? Maybe. It's a great place to go if you're in a hurry, want lots of choices and a decent price.

Try it Thursday: I made a coffee cake from one of those books you buy at library book sales which are collections of family recipes. Too sweet, so not a keeper.

Friends over Friday: I didn't have friends over, but I did take some of my meatloaf dinner to a neighbor.

I opened the cabinet door, and the cake plate slid out onto the tile floor. This is the plate which I promised Joey because it matches her pattern. Sorry. This cancels the Tevana jar, so I'm back to 7 discards.

I was using this mat in front of the kitty litter box, but it didn't work well with kitty claws. Threw it in the trash - need 6 discards.

My Wild Child Stormy is helping. Will recycle. The libraries don't want these for book sales anyway. I liked the way it looks on the shelf. Not to worry - I have more in the garage. Now I need 5 discards.

Thrifting: I'm hanging my head in shame. Yes, I bought more dishes. I don't have poinsettias and the price was right. Only one platter has been used. Everything else is new in the box. Three sets of dishes, two platters, a tea set - $30. The tea set is small, but will make a great door prize for the mother-daughter tea at the library. Oops!  Now it's 11 discards.

Three sets like this

Two platters. I used the orange so you can see the size.

Thank you: To Barbara and Jim for these sweet little kitties.They're up high where my Wild Child can't play with them. Now I need 12 discards.

My 12 discards: 5 skirts, 5 skirt hangers, 1 sweater top, 1 jacket.

Tips: Jean and Norm shared this photo of a spider they saw when hiking. If you see one, don't mess with it. It's a juvenile black widow. Who knew they had stripes? I only know about the hour glass, but guess that's only adults.

The Pepper and Pals Report: Veronica already loves her new mommy, Nancy, and wants to sleep with her. Nancy's other kitty, Pocket, is jealous. I remember when Stormy first started coming in the house, Pepper tried to chase her back out, but then decided he liked her afterall. I'm sure that will happen with Veronica and Pocket. 

I have three kitties at the vet right now. Pepper had his back claws removed on Monday, but Dr. kept him to work on his head wound. I can pick him up tomorrow.

Ginger went into my trap, but put her foot through the grate and didn't trip the door.

But after Flower finished getting a drink of water, he decided to join her and tripped the door. They'll both be operated on Tuesday, and then we'll find out if Ginger is a girl or needs a new name. Flower can go either way. I'm taking Stormy to the Humane Society for adoption on Tuesday. I hope they accept her so she can have a forever family. If not, I guess Pepper will get to keep her, and we'll just hope that I live long enough to care for her. Odds are not good right now, as kitties can live twenty years or even more.

Travel: The kitties have won once again. Bill is going to take another trip for me. Thankfully he's always available when I have to stay home with kitties. It's only a four-day trip and I really wanted to go, but it leaves on Wednesday. Pepper will still be in his cone collar, so I'll be feeding him with a spoon four or five times a day. I'll be picking up Ginger and Flower on Wednesday if they're boys, or Friday if one or both is/are girls. Great little trip. Check it out HERE.

Time for Others: Some friends took time for me, and I forgot to show you last week. Here are the handmade cards I received for Thanksgiving.

Teas: The December Holly Tea is finished. That doesn't mean the end. I still have to do August and September.

THE TABLE

THE MENU

Savories: Turkey Salad Cups, Cream Cheese, Pear, Walnut Finger Sandwiches

Scones: Cranberry Scones with Orange Butter

Sweets: Pineapple-Almond Cookies, Coconut Cake

Lagniappe: Chocolate-Dipped Apricots

I'll post the recipes later this week. 

Take Time to Enjoy the Holidays: You've probably seen this before, but watch it again. It's worth another LOOK.

And if you liked that, try THIS. Warning: It's over an hour. If you haven't been to a Christmas concert yet this year, this could be it. Then check it off your Christmas Bucket List.

And if you'd like an encore, try THIS. Unbelievably moving.

WINTER IS COMING - STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES SO YOU WON'T HAVE TO GO OUT IN THE COLD

FINISH YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING 

THE CROWDS WILL ONLY GET WORSE

MAIL SOME CHRISTMAS CARDS

BAKE SOME CHRISTMAS COOKIES YOU CAN FREEZE

MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE THIS WEEK

DROP SOME MONEY IN EVERY SALVATION ARMY BUCKET YOU PASS 

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A LOT

IT ADDS UP QUICKLY IF WE ALL CONTRIBUTE

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE